11th December 2009 09:22AM

The Chiefs Wider Training Group was named earlier this week and starts training today alongside the Chiefs squad.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster says the Wider Training Group are a key group to provide back-up and injury cover for the main squad.

"They are a group of dedicated players who I'm sure will thrive training at this level."

Chiefs Wider Training Group

Toby Smith (Prop, Waikato), Vern Kamo (Hooker, Waikato), Toby Lynn (Lock, Waikato), Jack Lam (Loose Forward, Waikato), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Halfback, Waikato)*, Trent Renata (Five Eighth, Waikato), Jason Hona (Wing, Bay of Plenty)*

Note: For December and January prop Hikairo Forbes (Waikato) and winger Phil Burleigh (Bay of Plenty) will also join the training group. Burleigh's inclusion is due to wing Jason Hona training with the Chiefs for that time while Lelia Masaga rehabilitates from shoulder surgery and Forbes covers for Toby Smith while he completes his rehabilitation for shoulder surgery also.

The other 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 wider training groups are:

Eighteen new players were named into the 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 wider training groups, announced by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

A total 35 players have been named into wider training groups for the five New Zealand super rugby franchises. The players named today will act as back-up and provide injury cover for the full squads announced in Auckland last month.

Blues

Michael Reid (Prop, North Harbour), Ash Dixon (Hooker, Auckland)*, James King (Lock, North Harbour)*, Onosa'i Auva'a (Loose Forward, Auckland), Taniela Moa (Halfback, Auckland), Michael Harris (Five Eighth, North Harbour)*, Jack McPhee (Fullback, North Harbour)*

Hurricanes

Michael Bent (Prop, Taranaki)*, Ged Robinson (Hooker, Wellington), Api Naikatini (Lock, Wellington), Faifili Levave (Loose Forward, Wellington), Chris Eaton (Halfback, Hawkes Bay), Johnny Leota (Centre, Manawatu), Alapati Leiua (Wing, Wellington)*

Crusaders

Hamish Cochrane (Prop, Tasman)*, Quentin MacDonald (Hooker, Tasman)*, Joe Wheeler (Lock, Tasman)*, Matt Todd (Loose Forward, Canterbury)*, Ash Parker (Loose Forward, Canterbury)*, Willie Heinz (Halfback, Canterbury)*, Tu Umaga-Marshall (Wing, Canterbury)*

Highlanders

Sam Hibbard (Prop, Otago)*, Sam Anderson-Heather (Hooker, Otago)*, Hoani Matenga (Loose Forward, Otago)*, Scott Cowan (Halfback, Southland), Chris Noakes (Five Eighth, Otago), Brett Mather (Centre, Otago), Ryan Shortland (Wing, Otago)*

* Denotes players not previously named in a franchise wider training group